Statement No.(1/2016) Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Press Statement Regarding Squatter

By Myanmar National Human Rights Commission • February 3, 2016

Myanmar National Human Rights Commission learnt from the media reports that during the month of January 2016 long-term squatters in Yuzana Garden City and Mingalardon Pyin Ma Pin Industrial Zone in Yangon Region and Nyaung Ni village in Mandalay Region were forcibly evicted and that were even clashes between the two parties.

It was also learnt in evicting these squatters, although the concerned authorities has told them that temporary food and shelters and medical attention would be given to those in need, but in reality, no such support was forthcoming; that squatters through their own arrangements had to settle in alleys thereby turning themselves into new breed of roadside squatters; that amongst the squatters were the aged, pregnant women, babies and children attending schools; and that the squatters also suffered from shortage of portable water supply.

In the event that the squatters have to be evicted under unavoidable circumstances, measures should be taken, based on humanitarian principles, such as, treating them humanely, giving educative talk prior to eviction, giving prior notices, making arrangements for transportation, providing assistance in health, education and social welfare needs and resettlement following the eviction.